Process and apparatus for direct ultrasonic mixing prior to analysis

Abstract

The instant invention is drawn to an apparatus and process for, direct ultrasonic mixing of a sample by use of an ultrasonic probe, in combination with sample conveying and/or sample analysis, thereby providing: convenient automated flexible sample preparation (e.g. mixing), conveying and/or analysis; and/or greater accuracy and precision of analysis than was previously achievable.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising, ultrasonic probe means for imparting ultrasonic energy to a sample in order to mix said sample,   analyzer means for analyzing said sample,   and sample conveying means, operatively associated with said analyzer means and said ultrasonic probe means, for conveying said sample from direct contact with said ultrasonic probe means to said analyzer means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus comprising, sample conveying means for conveying at least one sample, said sample conveying means including means providing electrical signals,   ultrasonic probe means for direct insertion into, and ultrasonic mixing of, said at least one sample,   and control means, electronically connected to said sample conveying means and ultrasonic probe means, for receiving said electrical signals from said sample conveying means and controlling said ultrasonic probe means in response to said electrical signals.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2 wherein said ultrasonic probe means is comprised of titanium. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2 further including a sample holding container, and wherein at least a portion of said ultrasonic probe means is positioned within said sample holding container. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including probe moving means connected to said ultrasonic probe means for inserting at least a portion of said ultrasonic probe means into said sample holding container and for removing said ultrasonic probe means from said sample holding container. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said probe moving means provides reciprocating movement of said ultrasonic probe means. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2 wherein said ultrasonic probe means defines either a stepped or tapered configuration. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 2 wherein said sample conveying means is selected form the group consisting of a rotatable tray, or moveable belt. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sample conveying means is a rotatable tray with operatively connected means to rotate said tray. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 2 further including analyzer means for analyzing a sample, said analyzer means being operatively associated with said sample conveying means, for receiving said at least one sample from said sample conveying means.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of either claim 1 or 10 wherein said analyzer means is selected from the group consisting of atomic spectrometer analyzer means or molecular spectrometer analyzer means. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said analyzer means is selected from the group consisting of graphite furnace atomic emission spectrometer analyzer means and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer analyzer means. 
     
     
       13. A process comprising, mixing a sample which is comprised of solid and liquid by imparting to said sample ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic probe positioned directly in said sample,   providing analyzer means for analyzing said sample,   and analyzing said sample utilizing said analyzer means subsequent to said mixing.   
     
     
       14. A process comprising, mixing a sample by imparting to said sample ultrasonic vibration from an ultrasonic probe positioned directly in said sample, so as to produce a mixed sample,   conveying said mixed sample utilizing conveying means which provides electrical signals,   and controlling said mixing in response to said electrical signals.   
     
     
       15. The process of either claim 13 or 14 wherein said ultrasonic probe is comprised of titanium. 
     
     
       16. The process of either claim 13 or 14 wherein, said sample is contained within a sample holding container, and further including the steps of, moving at least a portion of said ultrasonic probe into said sample holding container, and removing said ultrasonic probe from said sample holding container. 
     
     
       17. The process of claim 16 wherein said steps of moving and removing said ultrasonic probe are accomplished by reciprocatory movement of said ultrasonic probe. 
     
     
       18. The process of either claim 13 or 14 wherein said ultrasonic probe defines either a stepped or tapered configuration. 
     
     
       19. The process of claim 14 further including conveying said mixed sample to an analyzer means, and analyzing said mixed sample. 
     
     
       20. The process of either claim 13 or 19 wherein said step of analyzing is selected from the group consisting of atomic spectrometer analyzing or molecular spectrometer analyzing. 
     
     
       21. The process of claim 20 wherein said step of analyzing is selected from the group consisting of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer analyzing or graphite furnace atomic emission spectrometer analyzing.